Hands up if you love a cup of coffee in the morning like I do? Well then, you probably already know that coffee can improve your focus and make you feel energized at the start of the day. This is why many people start their day with a cup of coffee. What you might not have realized is the other benefits of coffee and that coffee has numerous other health benefits. In this article, we will look at the benefits of coffee that are backed by research and evidence.
Coffee Makes You Feel More Energized
If you regularly start your day with a cup of coffee, you know this very well. Coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine belongs to a class of nervous system stimulants that help your body fight fatigue and increase energy levels.
The reason caffeine can do this is that it blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter in the body. Low levels of adenosine mean an increase in the levels of other neurotransmitters that are involved in the regulation of energy levels. One such neurotransmitter is dopamine.
If you exercise a lot and use supplements, you might have noticed that many of them contain caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to increase the time it takes to get exhausted when cycling, lifting, and running. In the same studies, subjects were less fatigued than those who had not taken caffeine.
Just ensure you are getting your caffeine from a cup of coffee instead of supplements because the latter may have some ingredients that would not be good for your body.
Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Perhaps one of the lesser-known benefits of coffee – studies have shown that drinking coffee regularly can decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 10%. Scientists think that this is because coffee can preserve the beta cells that are found in the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin, which is used in the regulation of sugar (glucose) in the body.
Coffee is also rich in antioxidants that affect insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and inflammation. These three are associated with a higher risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.
While coffee, in general, has been shown to have these effects, a latte is the one that has been studied well enough to make this conclusion. But what is a latte? According to Cup & Bean’s guide, a latte, also known as a coffee latte, is a coffee drink that is made with two parts of steamed milk and one part espresso. In addition to their latte guide, Cup & bean provides information on everything you need to know about coffee, including different types of coffee from around the world. They also provide basic guides for those who want to start drinking coffee.
Coffee Can Aid in Weight Management
There are a lot of people who have used coffee to lose weight without understanding how it works. According to scientists, coffee supports gut health and changes the way our bodies store fat, leading to better weight management.
A review of a dozen studies over the years concluded that there were noticeable body fat changes and management, both of which are associated with weight management, in men who consumed coffee regularly. Other studies have shown the same results in women.
Another way coffee helps with weight management is by helping with exercise. The increased energy levels and longer time to exhaustion have been linked to increased activity. By meeting the recommended daily activity levels, subjects were able to start losing weight and getting healthier.
These better outcomes were observed in those who drank two cups of coffee per day.
It Can Support Brain Health
Most conditions that affect the brain are progressive meaning that they get worse over time. Because of how devastating they can be, scientists have been trying to find a way to keep them at bay or to reduce their progressions and severity.
Although the science is not definitive on this one, studies have suggested that coffee can help improve brain health, thereby protecting against some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Looking at the results of 13 studies, we see that those who consume over two cups of coffee a day have lower risks of developing these diseases. Additionally, regular consumption of coffee slowed down the progression of Parkinson’s disease in the long term.
Other studies have suggested that coffee can lower the risk of cognitive decline, which is often related to dementia. Even without definitive proof, the great results that came out of these studies should provide some hope for those at risk of these diseases.
Your Liver Benefits, Too
Your liver is one of your most important organs, and it should be protected by all means necessary. Studies suggest that coffee can help with this. Coffee could protect against several hepatic diseases and support hepatic health.
In one study, coffee was linked to a lower risk of liver cancer and scarring in those who already had liver disease. Deaths from chronic liver diseases are also lower in those who drink coffee. The risk for chronic liver diseases in the participating group also decreased as the amount of coffee they drank increased.
For example, those who took four cups per day saw a decrease of over 70% in chronic liver disease risk compared to the 15% reduced risk in those who consumed two cups.
Coffee is Great For Your Skin
Coffee contains numerous compounds that individually are great for the skin but combined are even better. For example, caffeine helps dilate the blood vessels below the skin. In addition to this dilation giving you better athletic performance, it improves overall blood flow beneath the skin. This reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Coffee also contains many anti-inflammatory compounds. These compounds help reduce the appearance of fine lines, redness, and sunspots as one ages. Chlorogenic acid, one of these anti-inflammatory compounds, reduces inflammation that causes hyperpigmentation of the skin. This hyperpigmentation causes dark spots on the skin.
Coffee Benefits The Heart
Drinking coffee regularly has also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. This reduction can be as high as 15% in those who drink more than five cups of coffee every day.
The risk of stroke was also reduced in participants of another study. These participants consumed over four cups of coffee every day and saw a reduction of over 20% in the risk of stroke.
In another study of over 21,000 participants, regular consumption of coffee caused a significant decrease in the risk of heart failure.
All of these benefits of coffee point to coffee being great for your heart. However, do note that caffeine affects blood pressure levels, and you should talk to a doctor before you start taking coffee if you have any health issues or are under any heart medication.
Longevity
With so many potential and actual benefits, coffee can improve your health. For example, a lower risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases and conditions means you are less likely to die of them and thus can live longer.
Studies have shown that coffee lowers the risk of cancer, a condition that often has a significant mortality rate. By protecting against DNA damage and free radical damage, coffee already lowers your risk without you knowing it.
Coffee is not just a beverage, as it can also have significant positive health benefits. Although some studies are not sensitive enough, the results we have seen are enough of a reason to start taking coffee.
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